Three times in the last ten days I’ve been at gatherings with black and white pastors. Last Thursday it was a rally for justice and peace at Hiawatha and Lake Street. On Tuesday it was a silent march to the site of George Floyd’s murder. And yesterday it was to attend George’s memorial service. 
 
Each of these have been emotional experiences. It’s hard to put into words the pain I’ve seen in the faces of our black brothers and sisters. I’ve been with people in pain before and sometimes God has given me just the right words. But I’ve been speechless much of the last two weeks. 
 
Maybe that’s the point. Many of those I’ve been with were among the group of pastors I traveled with to Civil Rights sites across the South just a couple of years ago. These are dear people and I would love to say something that would make the pain go away. But I can’t. I would like to say I understand what they’re experiencing, but that’s a lie. 
 
So instead I’ve been listening. Listening to their grief and pain, to their anger and to their hopes and dreams. But I’ve done very little talking. 
 
Listening is hard. Why? Because it’s uncomfortable to hear things I don’t want to hear but need to hear. Because it's difficult to hear what someone’s saying when I’m waiting with a scripted speech that may or may not fit the occasion. 
 
So I’ve been resisting the urge to talk and I’m learning to wait. To be silent and listen. And be patient. There will be plenty of time to talk in the future. 
 
I know that some of you want to know what you can do to help. I believe, as others are saying, that this is a unique moment in our history. A moment when real change will begin to take place. That means there will be plenty to do in the days, weeks, and months ahead. But the work needs to start with our ears, not our hands.
 
Many in the secular world believe the way to eliminate racism is to scold. Others believe the key is education. But neither of these have worked. Only Jesus can help us bridge the gap  (Ephesians 2:11-22). But we need to be obedient and reach across the divide. I believe, it is up to those of us who are white, those in the dominant culture, to take the first step. And that first step must be to listen.